Entry 8- Three Moments, One Lesson

This past week, I had three unrelated experiences in nature. I was considering writing about each one separately; however, as I gathered my pictures, I realized they shared something in common after all.

The first moment was the sunrise. I was particularly tired when I woke up that morning, but nature rewards early risers with something remarkable. The sky was so vivid that I needed to rush outside to catch it. However, as mentioned in a prior blog, the construction near my apartment obstructed my view. Frustrated and too groggy to search for a better angle, I settled for a glimpse between gaps of steel. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a reminder that beauty doesn't always present itself easily.

The second moment was almost unnoticeable. But as I’ve become more observant throughout the semester, I’ve started to notice things I’d typically miss. This time, it was a pale lavender iris, elegantly standing alone amidst a patch of weeds. It wasn’t in a carefully planted flower bed like those around campus. It had simply grown there, unnoticed by most. I couldn’t help but think about how often small, beautiful details like this probably go unnoticed because they aren’t framed for us to see.

The third moment came during our trip to the Nature Center. I included a snapshot of our progress, but what stood out even more than the piles of privet was the time with my classmates. As we chopped, clipped, and snipped, our conversations moved beyond school, into what has shaped us, career goals, and perspectives on purpose. Only nature could create a space for such conversations.

Looking back, these moments are connected by something profound yet simple: nature isn’t something to just observe or exist in. It is something to pursue, notice, and share.